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Imran Khan's political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has urgently petitioned the Islamabad High Court for his release from jail, citing fears that the former Prime Minister could become a target in potential Indian drone strikes amidst the escalating conflict between India and Pakistan.
The 72-year-old Khan, who has been detained in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi for nearly two years while facing numerous legal challenges, primarily involving corruption charges he claims are politically motivated, is now at the center of a plea driven by national security concerns.
PTI filed the petition on Friday, seeking Khan’s release on parole during a "national emergency," as military exchanges between India and Pakistan intensify, involving drones and artillery. Zulfikar Bukhari, a close aide and party spokesperson, emphasized the paramount importance of Khan’s safety during this critical period.
"At the moment, in troubling times like this, when we're at the verge of a full-scale conflict with our neighbour India, it's important that the most popular man in the country – who the country unites behind – is released and at the forefront," Bukhari stated. "We are hopeful that, for the sake of national integrity and unity, the petition is accepted."
The plea comes as military hostilities between the two nuclear-armed nations have escalated sharply. India claims to have repulsed multiple Pakistani drone attacks along its western border, while Pakistan denies these claims but vows retaliation for India's recent strikes on alleged terror hideouts within its territory, which resulted in civilian casualties.
The petition underscores the heightened tensions and the perceived vulnerability of high-profile figures like Khan during this period of conflict. The PTI argues that Khan’s release is crucial for national unity and leadership during a potential full-scale conflict.
Khan’s tenure as Prime Minister was marked by a further deterioration of India-Pakistan relations, particularly following India's 2019 airstrikes on Balakot and its revocation of the semi-autonomous status of Indian-administered Kashmir. His strong condemnation of India’s actions on international platforms has contributed to the current climate of heightened animosity.
The court's decision on the petition remains pending, with the nation on edge as the military standoff continues.
